Learn the fundamentals of the braille music code. For beginning musicians as well as accomplished professionals, being able to read music in braille expands their ability to learn and appreciate music independently. After completing this course, students will be able to read single-line music.
Prerequisites: Strong contracted braille reading and writing skills, some musical background, and access to an acoustic or digital piano.
Course: MUS-101, Media: B with an audio component, Lessons:14
Braille Music Reading
Course ID: MUS-101
Audience
Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs
Course Description
For those who already play or sing by ear, learning to read music opens up another dimension of music enjoyment. Whether a student once read print music or never read music before, whether the student is a beginner or an experienced musician, this course teaches how to read single melodies in the braille music code. It introduces music fundamentals while explaining how to read rhythms, pitches, and other elements in braille music. Abundant exercises allow students to practice their skills, and an audio accompaniment helps them check their progress.
Media
braille with an audio component
Organization
14 lessons
Credit
1/2 Carnegie unit
Prerequisites
Excellent contracted braille reading and writing skills; a piano (acoustic or digital, minimum 61 keys); some musical experience
Grading
Letter grades
Overview
Students submit fourteen assignments. Assignments are submitted in text with the option of playing and recording short musical examples.
Objectives and Content
After completing Lesson 1, the student will be able to
- identify beats and measures
- read quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes
After completing Lesson 2, the student will be able to
- read eighth notes and 16th notes
- follow single-line format
- use the special braille beaming or grouping
After completing Lesson 3, the student will be able to read:
- ties
- dotted notes
- eighth-note triplets
After completing Lesson 4, the student will be able to read and play music with the following:
- whole, half, quarter, eighth, and 16th rests
- multiple whole rests
- dotted rests
- triplet rests
After completing Lesson 5, the student will be able to
- interpret time signatures
- identify metronome markings
After completing Lesson 6, the student will be able to
- identify notes and octave signs
- locate notes on the keyboard (if needed)
- identify notes of various pitches with values
- read and play short tunes
After completing Lesson 7, the student will be able to use octave signs and read intervals.
After completing Lesson 8, the student will be able to
- identify sharps, flats, and naturals
- read key signatures
After completing Lesson 9, the student will be able to
- read word-sign expressions and the music hyphen
- identify expressions for dynamic levels and tempo changes
After completing Lesson 10, the student will be able to
- identify some symbols of effect or execution
- read slurs
- interpret mood and tempo descriptions in the music heading
After completing Lesson 11, the student will be able to read
- doubling of signs
- the measure repeat sign
- the braille music hyphen used for measure division occurring at the end of a line
After completing Lesson 12, the student will be able to read
- part-measure repeats
- numeral repeats
- print repeats and alternate endings
After completing Lesson 13, the student will be able to
- identify the seven chord interval signs
- read chords with accidentals
- read chords with other symbols and doubled interval signs
- discuss ways to learn a new piece
After completing Lesson 14, the student will be able to read
- full-measure in-accords
- part-measure in-accords
- print repeats and alternate endings
Course Details
